The Wilmingtonian., 1887-02-05
ADVERTISING RATES.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1857.
German RepnbIicanism.

In his speech last week In the Prussian
parliament Prince Bismarck made en- PEASANT
the remark " regard the final objects OF
tho progressist party as anti-monarchcal or
crypto-republican."
As may be apprehended, the above, made
use of In the chaneellor's speech to gain ov-
ar Prussian endorsement of his septennate |
scheme, is practically an accusation. Tho |
Prince in his intense ire propounds it as an
accusation Of treachery to the empire. He
infurs thereby that large share of the rep
resentatives in the Reichstag, the imperial
parliament, are semi-traitorOus to monarchi-
Gal tsaohings. There was no reply to this
arrsigning of the progressist party. They
would not stultify themselves by any psblic
admission of the truth of what Bismarck
said. There was no necessity. All the world
knows that they are exactly crypto-republi-
can and radically opposed to the perpetua.
tion of monarohioal ideas. The chancellor's
angry cries do not tdsturbthem. Probably they
are secretly gratifed at Bismarck q open ap- |
probation of their position. They are add- |
tionally amused at the imperialist leaders,
querulous cries, and look upon them as moth
ing less than Inscriptions to the steady ad-
vanoement of republican theories through.
out the Fatherlsnd.
And this must be looked upon as the most
Importantly significant movement in German
national politics just now. Germany per-
haps more markedly than any of the great
European countries is undergoing most
marked metamorphoss. Its people are
dressing down to the facts of the inutility Of
patriarchal government even under such
great and valiant leader as the Kaiser viii
helm. Under his leadership, aided by such
great names as Bismarck and Won Moltke,
Germany has made the greatest, even pheu-
omenal, advance of any European country.
Under this dynasty she has gained unity and
solidarity as the leading Teuton military
power of Europe This has been attained
through the valor of her soldiers and the as
tuteness of her diplomats. A succession Of
the NOSE transcendently brilliant victories
over her closest neghhors and traditonary
enemies suddenly placed the Fatherland
upon the pinnacle Of military glory. Hand
in hand with this is the no less remarkable
diplomatic record Of Germany under the
tutelage of Bismarck.
These facts, which the world recognizes,
must impress the native with some feelings
of pride as one of the great nation that has
vanquished Austria and France, laid siege
to Paris and conquered the most prominent
martial nation of Europe, and taken her form.
er place in continental counsels. Who would
not feel proud of the name of German when
listening to the wonderful story of Kaiser
Wrlhelm's scoi Onstion as Emperorof Germany
in the place of Versailles. But all this tinssl
of glory does not allow the progressist in
German political life to stray one step from
his life-intent which is to aid in every con-
stitutional way the slow growth in the EN-.
pire of the demonstrating of the country.
He is not afrai6-rather rejoices on the con.
trary in being called crypto-republican. He
does not openly admit the implication, for its
admission would he confession of high trea.
son. An admission that Bismarck would
be only too glad to utilize in the bauishmen,
OF the whole nest of troublesome radicals
The progressists are thoroughly satisfied
with their position, They have made re-
marksble progress within the last decade
They control the Rechstag, not directly tC
be sure but when any difference arises ia the
ether parties, either military or conservative
the church party and it's opponents, the pro.
gressists have, as do the Irish party in the
English parliament the casting vote Bis
marck, can no more than Gladstone could
ignore them as an unimportant fac
tor His bluster, unreasonable as it is can
not hurt them. Every German knows thai
Bismarck is wrong in claiming such wide
latitudinarian prerogativs for the Emperor
as regards the army in peace time and hi
claims of imperial power in the face Of pos
sibls war are positively preposterous ant
would not be tolerated calmly but for th,
personal respect all Germans have for tn,
old Emperor whom they all admire, and ais,
for Bismarck himself notwithstanding hi
lmpracticability.
The debate on the Septeunate bill is a tire
mendous set back to the chance of perpetua
tion of the Hohuzollern dynasty upon th
throne of imperial Germany. Tho larg
over.wieidy empire cannot Withstand man
such questions as that, or rather question
decided in such premptOry manner as wa
the Septenuate bill in the ReiChstag aud tn
Prussian House of Deputies. II Prussia can
not remain the strong nucleus of the Ger
a.. n